What are the Key Changes in MIPS Measures for 2024 Compared

MIPS is a program under the Quality Payment Program (QPP) that affects Medicare Part B clinicians. It consolidates three older programs: the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the Value-based Payment Modifier (VM), and the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program. MIPS is structured around four performance categories: Quality, Cost, Improvement Activities, and Promoting Interoperability. Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updates the measures and weights for these categories.
Changes in Performance Categories
1. Quality Category Adjustments
For 2024, the Quality category remains a significant part of MIPS, but several changes have been made to its measures and reporting requirements:
Measure Updates: CMS has removed several low-value measures and introduced new ones that better reflect clinical outcomes and patient experiences.
Data Submission: There is an increased emphasis on electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) and the requirement for more frequent data submissions to improve the timeliness and accuracy of reporting.
2. Cost Category Enhancements
The Cost category continues to gain prominence in 2024:
New Measures: New cost measures have been introduced, focusing on episodes of care and patient outcomes. These measures are designed to better reflect the efficiency and effectiveness of the care provided.
Weight Increase: The weight of the Cost category has increased, which means it will have a more substantial impact on the overall MIPS score.
3. Improvement Activities Updates
Changes in the Improvement Activities category aim to enhance the engagement and effectiveness of activities:
Activity Additions and Removals: CMS has added new improvement activities that address current healthcare priorities such as health equity and chronic disease management while retiring outdated activities.
Scoring Adjustments: There are modifications in scoring criteria to ensure that activities are more impactful and aligned with broader healthcare goals.
4. Promoting Interoperability Modifications
The Promoting Interoperability (PI) category has seen several updates aimed at enhancing data exchange and interoperability:
Measure Requirements: Certain measures now require stricter compliance and demonstration of active engagement in health information exchange.
Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange: New measures have been added to promote the use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT) for public health reporting and clinical data exchange.
Changes in Scoring and Reporting
Increased Complexity in Scoring
The scoring system for MIPS in 2024 has become more complex, with changes in the weights assigned to different performance categories:
Category Weights: The Quality category weight has been reduced, while the Cost category weight has been increased. This shift emphasizes the importance of cost-effective care.
Performance Thresholds: The performance threshold for avoiding penalties has been raised, requiring clinicians to achieve higher scores to avoid negative payment adjustments.
Introduction of MVPs
MIPS Value Pathways (MVPs) are being rolled out as an alternative to traditional MIPS:
MVP Framework: MVPs offer a streamlined approach, combining measures and activities from the four MIPS categories into cohesive sets that are meaningful to clinicians' practice areas.
MVP Participation: Clinicians can opt to participate in an MVP that aligns with their specialty or practice focus, which can simplify the reporting process and make it more relevant.
Data Submission and Technical Changes
Enhanced Data Submission Requirements
Data submission requirements have become more stringent to improve data quality:
Electronic Submissions: There is a stronger push towards electronic submissions via the QPP p